A Review of the Physiopathological Role of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) in Reproduction and in Vascularization of Tumors

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) is a polypeptide hormone secreted by the cells of the anterior pituitary whose primary function is stimulation of ovarian follicle to grow and mature in females. Additionally, FSH stimulates the granulosa cells in the ovarian follicle to synthesize aromatase which converts androgen produced by the thecal cells to estradiol. Estradiol in the blood primes the hypothalamus to produce stronger pulses of Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) leading to secretion of Luteinizing hormone (LH). Then, LH causes ovulation and the developmentof corpus luteum. But, in the males, FSH stimulates the Sertoli cells to secret Androgen Binding Protein (ABP) which concentrates local testosterone leading to stimulation of spermatogenesis. However, FSH has been identified in many angiogenic vasculature of many tumors. The review tries to bring out FSH in reproduction and pathology as well as reveal certain solutions which may be useful in infertility and oncogenic therapy.